Category Archives: Opera

Not only this week, but all through the month of July we’ve got activity after activity for all you Out Astorians out there!

This week is particularly busy:

TUES, JULY 12 – OUT ASTORIA STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

We wanted to let you all know the that the steering committee would be meeting this week and if you have any suggestions as to what you’d like us to discuss or review just send an email to me, the Vice President, and I’ll make sure it gets on our agenda for the meeting!

Come out and sample regional cuisine from neighborhood restaurants, or bring your own food & drink and picnic on the grass as the sun sets over the city! Enjoy performances by local musicians and dancers and, as the sky darkens, see exceptional international films on a large-format screen–all set against the spectacular backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.

Join your Out Astoria friends and gay-bors on the grass of the park for this week’s screening of the 1960s Czechoslovakian comedy “Who Wants To Kill Jessie?” – Pre-screening performances begin at 7PM – Film begins at sunset – and of course it’s FREE to all!

We will, of course, let you all know where in the park the Out Astoria Group will be setting up their blankets for the screening (prior to the evening event). We’ll also keep a close eye on the the weather forecasts and give everyone plenty of notice should the rain force us to cancel/change the event.

WHO WANTS TO KILL JESSIECZECH REPUBLIC
1966, 91 mins. Directed by Václav Vorlícek. A scientist (Dana Medricka) invents a machine that allows her to view a sleeping person’s dreams in this wacky 1960s comedy from Czechoslovakia. But when she tries it out on her husband (Jiri Sovak), she discovers he’s dreaming about the hot heroine of the comic strip “Who Wants to Kill Jessie?” Worse yet, Jessie (Olga Schoberova) soon comes crashing into their lives for real – throwing them into a cartoon world of good guys and bad guys. (Not Rated)

We’ll send an email out to all event RSVPs that will let you know where abouts in the park you can expect to find the group, so make sure you check your inbox before you head over to the park!

While you may or may not be any of the above, there’s nothing wrong with faking it for an evening.

Please join us at Locale on July 14th, at 7:00 PM. We have the entire lounge area reserved for our exclusive dining pleasure, and it can seat 20 quite comfortably for dinner. Scintillating repartee and divine noshing are sure to ensue.

Dan Fingerman’s new play THE AUSTERITY OF HOPE will debut at the 9th Annual Fresh Fruit Festival next week. Set in Astoria, Queens against the 2008 presidential victory of Barack Obama – THE AUSTERITY OF HOPE – centers on Simon and his group of friends as they struggle with the complex issues of their young lives: love, sex, relationships, sexual identity, career choices, financial stability, monogamy and the future…and what it holds for them and the ones they love.

NEXT Magazine recently wrote “If you loved RENT, you’ll love THE AUSTERITY OF HOPE and The Advocate listed it as one of this week’s “Top 10 Entertainment Highlights.”

Cast Members

In recognition of the playwrights work on the steering committee of Out Astoria, the producers have agreed to offer a very limited amount of discounted tickets to Out Astoria members for the performance on Tuesday, July 19th at 8:45PM and the performance on Thursday, July 21st at 9PM. Tickets are normally $19.80 if ordered through Smart Tix, however these tickets are $15. This is a savings of approximately 25%.

To order these tickets please email austerityofhope.groupsales@gmail.com with your name and the amount of tickets you’d like to purchase. You will then be sent an invoice via Paypal, after which you will get a confirmation email. Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, July 19th at 11:59PM.

And a few other upcoming July events you’re going to want to put in your calendar soon:

FRI, JULY 22 – OUT ASTORIA’S JULY FUNDRAISING MIXER FOR THE ASTORIA ALI FORNEY CENTER
Keep an eye out for the upcoming evite and information for Out Astoria’s July Fundraising Mixer to benefit the Astoria Ali Forney Center – we’ll also let you know what supplies the shelter is in need of should you have any clothing or supplies you would also like to donate.

TUES, JULY 26 – METROPOLITAN OPERA NIGHT AT SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
This year the Metropolitan Opera brings their NYC parks concert to our own backyard – the Socrates Sculpture Park will be hosting their July concert – free for anyone to attend – so bring a blanket and we’ll let you know where we’re sitting.

WED, JULY 27 – OUT ASTORIA’S JULY BOOK CLUB MEETING
This month we’ll be reading Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games (already being made into a major motion picture). You must be a dues-paying Out Astoria Member to join the book club, but if you’re already a member and would like to be notified when the next meeting will take place, just drop them an email!